Phoenix striker slams exit talk as ‘rubbish’
Roy Krishna has labelled a report linking the Wellington Phoenix’s new all-time leading goal scorer with a move away from the A-League club as ‘‘total rubbish’’.
Goal.com reported on Tuesday that the off-contract striker has expressed interest in departing the club, with his preference being a move to Asia.
However, according to both Krishna and his manager Rex Dawkins, the report is well wide of the mark.
‘‘It’s total rubbish. I have no idea [where that came from],’’ Krishna said.
‘‘I’d love to [stay with the Phoenix long-term] but my main focus is to do well and for myself. Hopefully we can get to the playoffs and do well.
‘‘[I want to] make it to the playoffs and win trophies.’’
Dawkins echoed Krishna’s comments and said the Goal.com report was ‘‘a story made in the heavens’’.
‘‘There’s no substance to that story. No substance whatsoever,’’ Dawkins said.
‘‘He is not unhappy where he is. He is as happy as a sandboy. That [story] came as a surprise to me probably more than him. But there’s nothing in it.’’
Krishna, who has spent his entire professional career in New Zealand, was left disappointed when the Phoenix turned down a big money offer from Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids for his services last season.
However, the 31-year-old eventually re-signed with the club, extending his stay until the end of the 2018/19 season.
‘‘He probably a bit like everybody, he was pretty down with the coaching last year and he was keen to get out at that stage because he and the coach just did not see eye to eye and it affected him as well. But he’s happy. He loves Mark Rudan and he has settled back really well.’’
On Sunday, Krishna overtook Paul Ifill as the Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer when he netted his 34th goal in a 1-1 draw with Perth Glory, where defender Ryan Lowry was controversially shown a red card following intervention from the Video Assistant Referee.
‘‘He’s a great guy and I’m so humbled to pass him,’’ Krishna said. ‘‘I have a huge respect for him and he taught me a lot.’’
The Phoenix are away to Sydney FC on Saturday.